Vietnam Visa: Latest Procedures and News 2025

Vietnam is a beautiful and diverse country that attracts millions of tourists every year. However, before you pack your bags and book your flight, you need to know the visa requirements and procedures for entering Vietnam. Depending on your nationality, you may or may not need a visa to visit Vietnam for a certain period of time. In this blog post, we will provide you with the latest information and updates on Vietnam visa 2025, including the visa exemption policy, the electronic visa (e-visa) system, and the visa options for long-term stays. We hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Vietnam smoothly and hassle-free.

Written by Tieu Bao (Local Expert) Updated on 23-01-2025

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1. Do I Need a Visa for Vietnam?

Citizens from the USA, Canada, and Australia need to obtain a visa for Vietnam, as these countries are not included in the 45-day visa exemption list.

If you plan to stay in Vietnam for less than 45 days and you are a citizen of one of the following countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Japan, or South Korea, you can benefit from a visa exemption upon arrival (see How to Benefit from Vietnam Visa Exemption).

However, for stays exceeding 45 days, citizens of these countries will require a visa.

• A traditional visa issued by the Vietnamese embassy or consulate.
• An e-visa, which is the most convenient option and available for citizens of all countries.
• Visa on arrival (for air travel only).

2. How to Obtain a Visa for Vietnam?

Here are explanations for each type of visa. First and foremost, please note that regardless of the duration and type of visa, your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the expiration date of your visa (6 months after your return date).

2.1 Traditional Visa

You can apply for a traditional visa at the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your country. Required documents include:

• A completed visa application form (NA1).
• Two passport-sized photos.
• A passport with at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages.
• Visa fees, which vary depending on your location. Processing times range from 1 to 2 weeks​

2.2 Vietnam E-Visa

The e-Visa is available for citizens of 80 countries in the world. With this option, you will have the opportunity to get a visa for Vietnam online, without visiting the embassy or consulate. The eVisa for Vietnam is valid for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. We recommend applying for an e-visa for ease.

Andorra

Argentina

Armenia

Australia

Austria

Azerbaijan

Belarus

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

Brunei

Bulgaria

Canada

Chile

China

Colombia

Croatia

Cuba

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Fiji

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

India

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Kazakhstan

South Korea

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macedonia

Malta

Marshall Islands

Mexico

Micronesia

Moldova

Monaco

Mongolia

Montenegro

Myanmar

Nauru

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Palau

Panama

Papua New Guinea

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Qatar

Romania

Russia

Samoa

San Marino

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

East Timor

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United States of America

Uruguay

Vanuatu

Venezuela

Which official website for the Vietnam e-visa?

In order to set up the public service for the issuance of electronic visas for foreigners, visit the official website of the government: https://evisa.gov.vn/

What documents do I need to provide?

• The documents required to apply for an e-visa are:
• A valid passport with a validity period of at least six months
• A passport photo in .jpg format
• A passport photo in .jpg format (4x6, white background, without glasses)
• A valid international credit or debit card
• An email address to receive support
• A temporary address in Vietnam
• Expected entry and exit dates, as well as entry and exit points or airports

Steps to apply:

1. Fill out the online application, upload your passport photo and data page.
2. Pay the e-visa fee: $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entry.
3. Processing takes about 3 business days. You will receive an email confirmation and can download the visa

2.3 Visa on Arrival

To obtain a visa on arrival, travelers need an invitation letter provided by a travel agency. This type of visa is available only if you enter Vietnam by air, and you must pay the visa stamping fee in cash upon arrival​

We then request the Vietnam entry approval letter from the Vietnamese Immigration Service so that you can receive your visa upon arrival at the airport. You will need to print this approval letter to board your international flight to Vietnam. Upon arrival, once you have disembarked from the plane, you will submit this letter to the immigration officer in charge. After verification, they will affix your visa to your passport.

Please Note:

• Visa on arrival applies only to air travel. If you enter Vietnam by land or cruise, you must obtain a full visa before your arrival.
• Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your planned stay in Vietnam.
• If you are traveling with children who have their own passports, please note that the same fees as for adults apply.
• The visa stamping fees at Vietnam's airport must be paid in cash. Credit cards are not accepted.
• There is no official website for the visa on arrival service. All websites offering the pre-approved visa letter are private agencies.

Our advice: Among these three types of visas, we strongly recommend opting for the E-visa as it is easier to obtain and less expensive.

How to complete the online Vietnam e-visa application?

Step 1: Fulfill required information:

• Upload foreigners' passport data page image and photograph (straight looking without glasses);
• After this step, registration code will be sent to the applicant;

Step 2: Pay E-visa fee. Your application will be processed in 3 working days;

• $25/single-entry electronic visa

• $50/multiple-entry electronic visa

After making the payment, you will receive a confirmation email stating that your visa application has been submitted and is being processed. Your application will be processed within 3 business days.

Note: If you need to modify your application (due to an error in your name, passport number, etc.), the processing time may extend to 1 to 2 weeks.

Step 3: Once processing is complete, use the registration code, registration email, and date of birth to check the result in the E-visa search menu. If your electronic visa is approved, please print the electronic visa and present it upon your arrival in Vietnam.

To search for and print electronic visas, you can access one of the following websites:

• https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_US/tra-cuu-thi-thuc
• The Vietnam Immigration portal

The validity period of your e-Visa starts from the date specified in your approved e-Visa document.

You are allowed to enter Vietnam on any date during this validity period. Please note that it is not possible to enter Vietnam before or after the specified validity period in your e-Visa.

>>> Discover here all frequently asked questions about Vietnam e-visa

3. Vietnam Visa Price: What is the cost of a visa for Vietnam?

The cost of a visa to Vietnam is determined by a number of factors, which include the duration of your stay in Vietnam, the type of visa applied for, and the place of application. Below is the average price of some of the most requested types of visas:

Price of E-Visa for Vietnam
The cost of a single-entry electronic visa is $25 USD, while that of multiple entries goes for $50 USD.
This is to be paid online when applying.

Price of Visa on Arrival for Vietnam
The cost involves two kinds of fees, namely:

Service Fee: Paid to the visa agency for processing the visa approval letter. This differs according to the agency and the type of visa.
Stamping Fee: To be paid directly at customs upon arrival. The fees are:

• $25 USD for a single-entry visa.
• $50 USD for a multiple-entry visa.

It is recommended to pay in USD to avoid poor exchange rates.

Special Considerations:
Visa procedures and fees for citizens of some countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Kuwait, and Oman, may vary. Detailed information should be confirmed with the Vietnamese Immigration Department or the nearest Vietnamese embassy.

>>> Detailed Information on Vietnam Visa for African Countries

To assist you in the process of obtaining a Vietnam visa, you can go through a travel agency in Vietnam. Feel free to contact us for more specific information.

4. What are the risks of overstaying a visa in Vietnam?

The fine depends on the number of days exceeded. See the information below:

• $25 for a delay of up to 3 days
• $55 for a delay of 4 to 10 days
• $175 for a delay of 11 days to 1 month
• $440 for a delay of 1 to 3 months
• $700 for a delay of more than 1 year.

In severe cases (significant visa overstay: several months, lack of cooperation with local authorities to resolve the issue, etc.), you risk being placed on the Vietnamese immigration blacklist, which could make your future entries into Vietnamese territory more challenging. There are indeed local intermediary services that can help you manage your situation as positively as possible. We do not provide detailed information on these services and do not offer them directly.

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